Prevent and address harassment and sexual misconduct

In order for students to succeed they need to feel safe, healthy and part of a tolerant, inclusive academic community.

Our universities are places in which diversity – of people, opinions, and beliefs – can and does thrive. But we know that some students still feel unsafe and unsupported during their time in higher education. Too often, students suffer prejudice, discrimination, harassment and violence on account of their race, sexual orientation, gender identity, faith or disability, or are victims of hate crime.

What's the issue

More and more evidence has come to light in the last few years about harassment and sexual misconduct in higher education.

For example:

Full time students are more likely to experience sexual assault than those in any other occupational group
In a study of over 6,000 studentsExternal link (Opens in a new tab or window), nearly 50 per cent of women said they had been touched inappropriately.
Nearly a quarter of ethnic minority studentsExternal link (Opens in a new tab or window)experience racial harassment on campus.
An investigation found 123 antisemitic incidents affecting Jewish students, academics and student bodies in 34 different towns and cities across the UK during two academic years (2018/19 and 2019/20).
One in three Muslim studentsExternal link (Opens in a new tab or window)have experienced some type of abuse or crime where they study.
More than one in five lesbian, gay and bi studentsExternal link (Opens in a new tab or window)have said they wouldn’t feel confident reporting any homophobic, biphobic or transphobic bullying to university staff.

Published 09 January 2020
Last updated 19 April 2021 + show all updates

19 April 2021: Statement of expectations published
09 February 2021: Updated to reflect closure on consultation
18 March 2020: Consultation paused
16 March 2020: Deadline extended to 5 June 2020

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Prevent and address harassment and sexual misconduct

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